"The Water Blade" by Phil Ælse

Rychel, last survivor of a destroyed squad, is given a second chance, but has to lead his new comrades to the front line. 

Tull, a legion auxiliary, is desperate to earn enough cash to get out of the back end of beyond. 

Together they must form a shaky alliance to stem an army of undines, and prevent a powerful shaman from unleashing a dangerous power.
 

Abalone - A continent cut off from the rest of the known world. Fragments of the nations of the races of humanity found themselves cut off from their homelands by an impenetrable wall of mist that rose from the surrounding ocean, almost overnight. Forced to coexist with the minor and major races of the land, some nations fought to retain their old identity and maintain their links to a severed past. Others force a path to a new future, often through the lands and lives of their neighbours.

For those who like their high-fantasy with a twist of realism, quirky characters and brutal action (but low gore), why not delve in to the world of Abalone, where human expansion meets resourceful elemental indigenes and a hidden history laden with danger. Suitable for YA readers upwards, anyone interested in fantasy RPGs and games.

"The Water Blade" by Phil Ælse will be free in ebook format on June 19th to 23rd 2026 as part of Arcane Tomes 'Summer Solstice Sale'.

About the Author 

Phil Ælse is from Derbyshire UK, a life long player of tabletop wargames and role-play games, and an avid reader of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Gothic Horror. Forced to work after leaving school, he has been a cook, cleaner, shopkeeper, teacher and HVAC design engineer. Semi-retirement and a move to Portugal has finally allowed him to get round to finishing some of the books and games he’s been working on for decades. 

Phil can be contacted at mace.games.uk@gmail.com

 

"Manor of the Mage" by Gregory J. Ramsey

When an alcoholic archaeologist removes a scythe from the chest of an unusually well preserved plague victim, he unknowingly awakens a tyrannous ancient vampire.

Halfway across the world, a long-dormant bloodline curse is simultaneously revived in Sofia Kennigen, a direct descendant of the old vampire's mortal queen. Sofia is dragged against her will into a paranormal world where she doesn't know who to trust, and every choice she makes could have huge ramifications for mankind and for vampirekind alike.

"Dust After Death Book I: Manor of the Mage" is the debut novel by author Gregory J. Ramsey.

 

About the Author

Gordon J. Ramsey lives outside of Chicago, where the majority of his time is spent being a stay-at-home father to two young daughters and writing. His hobbies include violin, guitar, and building things with his hands. He has a bachelor's degree in Fiction Writing from Columbia College Chicago.

"War of the Four: The Twin Schism" by D. J. Dempsey

Sun. Sea. Sky. Stone.
Four tales, fated for war.

Seven hundred forty-one turns of the solar season ago, a fragment of a celestial star descended upon the Plane. Or so the story was told.

From its crater emerged a storm so devastating that only the bravest of knights, Rondor the Royal, dared venture to its source. What he discovered changed the Plane forever.

Upon contact with the fallen star, the storm ceased—its celestial essence coursed through his body with a pulse, granting him the authority to command all elements of the Plane. Rondor forged the foreign substance into what became known as the Staff of Azil and used its power to bring peace to his fractured homeland.

Generations of inheritance later, however, Rondor’s progeny strayed from his virtue. Rexam’s reign with the staff unleashed the most perilous period the Plane had ever known, subjugating all four regions under his mighty conquest. Only when Rexam’s younger brother, Regnam, rose to lead the rebellion did the devastation finally come to an end.

Wielding this reclaimed power, Regnam chose instead to reforge the Staff of Azil and divide its essence among the Plane’s four great leaders. Thus, the amulons renowned today—the Sunspear, Seatrident, Skybow, and Stonehammer—were created, each capable of conducting one of the four principal elements.

But as these tales of the Plane will tell, peace divided doesn’t always remain that way.

"War of the Four" is a military fantasy / coming of age story by D. J. Dempsey.

 

"WalkTall" by Izaic Yorks

Abducted from the streets. Imprisoned in a world of lies. Can one orphan survive long enough to keep his soul?

Torn from the alleys he knew and thrust into a re-education camp buried deep in the earth, a nameless boy must navigate a place ruled by Tallmen, fairies, and cruel masters. Beatings, hunger, and mind-breaking games are the tools of control-but they can't extinguish his will entirely.

In this pit of shadows, uneasy alliances form: enemies become comrades and scraps of loyalty forge a found family. Yet survival has a price, and every choice cuts deeper into the wound that drives him. Secrets are currency, betrayal is inevitable, and redemption might demand more than he can give.

When the only way to live is to become someone else, how much of yourself are you willing to lose?

Grit, Blood, and the will to survive beckon, begin the journey today.

"WalkTall" is a solo novella by Izaic Yorks.

 

 

About the Author

 

Izaic Yorks crafts fantasy and sci-fi for those who seek stories that entertain and offer something deeper for the soul. Yorks is a former professional athlete, USA silver medalist, turned father and broadsword fencer. 

"Jester" by Tim Carter

In a realm ruled by idiots, their only hope is the Fool.

You’d think an army of zombie trolls and undead ogres would catch the nobility’s attention. You’d be wrong. The rulers of Halfsock are deeply in denial. Besides, they have taxes to avoid, neighbors to plunder, and relatives to backstab.

With war looming, a goblin latrine slave named Shelly resolves to save Castle Halfsock from itself. He must take on many roles… jester, detective, spy, and political fixer. But his most challenging role—especially after a lifetime spent cleaning other people’s toilets—is as a confident secret agent worthy of trust, friendship, and maybe even love.

Can the least powerful person in the realm overcome his insecurities to depose rulers, forge alliances, and fend off an undead horde?

"Jester" is a comic tale of politics, friendship, and found family for fans of Nicholas Eames, Terry Pratchett, and J. Zachary Pike. 

About the Author

Tim Carter writes fiction, video games, and movies. He draws inspiration for his fiction and movies from a lifelong love of strategy and role-playing games, especially Dungeons and Dragons.  

He lives with his wife and two dogs in Vancouver, Canada. He is best known for writing the console game Sleeping Dogs, writing and producing the Dead Rising series of movies, and producing the digital series Mortal Kombat: Legacy.